[Evaluation of antioxidant properties of enriched bakery products in experiment on laboratory animals].

The purpose was to study the effect of enriched bakery products in the diet of rats on indicators of prooxidant-antioxidant system of blood serum. Experiment was carried out on male Wistar rats with initial weight 140-180 g. After a quarantine during the preparatory period rats for 14 days were accustomed to the partial (50%) replacement of the standard diet by bakery products with standard compound­ing. Then, 7 groups of rats were formed: the 1st group of rats (control group, n=10) continued to receive bakery products of a standard composition; groups with the 2nd on 7th (experimental, n=8 in everyone) received enriched bakery products: the 2nd group - with blueberry powder; the 3rd group - with mountain ash powder; the 4th group - with sea-buckthorn powder; the 5th group - with flour of a pine nut; the 6th group - with rice bran oil; the 7th group - with pumpkin oil. The intensity of free radical oxidation and antioxidant activity (by chemiluminescence method), activity of superoxide dismutase and level of secondary oxidation products reacted with thiobarbituric acid (by spectrophotometry) were monitored in rat blood serum. It has been shown that the use of bakery products with different compounding in the animal diet had different effects on indicators of prooxidant-antioxidant system of blood serum. Bakery products containing sea buckthorn pomace powder, flour of pine nut and rice bran oil reduced intensity of free radical oxidation in rat blood serum by 36.0, 24.6 and 18.8%, respectively. It is suggested that bakery products containing flour of pine nut products brake a free radical oxidation in rat blood serum in case of simultaneous content of natural antioxidants and melanoidins. The anthocyanins of powder from blueberry berries can render antioxidant effect and slow down formation of by-products of oxidation. No statistically significant change on indicators of prooxidant-antioxidant system of blood serum of rats treated with bakery products with rowan powder or pumpkin oil was found, that may be due to animal refusal to eat such products.

Previous reproductive history and post-natal family planning among HIV-infected women in Ukraine.

BACKGROUND: Ukraine has the highest antenatal HIV prevalence in Europe. The national prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) programme has reduced the MTCT rate, but less attention has been given to the prevention of unintended pregnancy among HIV-positive women. Our objectives were to describe the reproductive health, condom use and family planning (FP) practices of HIV-positive childbearing Ukrainian women and to identify factors associated with different methods of post-natal contraception. METHODS: HIV-infected childbearing women, diagnosed before or during pregnancy, were enrolled prospectively in a post-natal cohort study in four regional HIV/AIDS centres in Ukraine from December 2007. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with post-natal FP practices. RESULTS: Data were available for 371 women enrolled by March 2009; 82% (n = 303) were married or cohabiting, 27% (97 of 363) reported a current HIV-negative sexual partner and 69% were diagnosed with HIV during their most recent pregnancy. Overall, 21% (75 of 349) of women were not using contraception post-natally (of whom 80% reported no current sexual activity), 50% (174 of 349) used condoms, 20% (74 of 349) relied solely/partially on coitus interruptus and 4% used hormonal methods or intrauterine device. Among married/cohabiting women, consistent use of condoms in the previous pregnancy [AOR 1.96 (95%CI 1.06-3.62)], having an HIV-positive partner [AOR 0.42 (0.20-0.87)], current sexual activity [AOR 4.53 (1.19-17.3)] and study site were significantly associated with post-natal condom use; 16% of those with HIV-negative partners did not use condoms. Risk factors for non-use of FP were lack of affordability [AOR 6.34 (1.73-23.2)] and inconsistent use of condoms in the previous pregnancy [AOR 7.25 (1.41-37.2)]. CONCLUSIONS: More than 40% of HIV-positive women in this population are at risk of unintended pregnancy and the one in six women in HIV-discordant couples not using barrier methods risk transmitting HIV to their partners. Our study results are limited by the observational nature of the data and the potential for both measured and unmeasured confounding.

[Characteristic of gut microorganisms abnormalities].

AIM: To study dynamics of qualitative and quantitative changes of microflora of large intestine in different age groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stool samples from children of different age groups (0 - 6 months, 6 months - 1 year, 1 - 7 years, 7 - 14 years, >14 years) were tested on dysbiosis. RESULTS: Majority of patients admitted during the period of 1999 - 2008 were children 1 - 7 years old (32 - 38%). The highest rate of dysbiosis was observed in infants (92 - 100%). Leading place in pathology of microbiota of large intestine during all study period belonged to Staphylococcus aureus and hemolytic Escherichia coli. CONCLUSION: In Karachaevo-Cherkessk republic tightening of measures for surveillance on infection control regime in health-care organizations as well as on carriage of S. aureus in health-care workers are needed.

[Shigellosis in Karachaevo-Cherkes Republic in 1996-2005].

Incidence and etiologic structure of shigellosis in Karachaevo-Cherkes Republic for 10 years are analyzed and compared with same characteristics in Russia overall. Sharp rise of shigellosis cases number is detected in 2003-2005 as well as predominance of Shigella sonnei represented by biovar Ilg. It was shown that Shigella strains with different resistance to tetracycline and chloramphenicol circulate in Karachaevo-Cherkes Republic.

[Synthesis and properties of an acyclic analog of 9-deazainosine and related compounds]. / Sintez i svoistva atsiklicheskogo analoga 9-dezazainozina i rodstvennykh soedinenii.

An acyclic analogue of 9-deazainosine, 9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)-9-deazahypoxanthine, and related compounds have been synthesized starting from 9-(hydroxyethyl)-9-deazahypoxanthine. The acyclo-9-deazainosine exhibited some cytotoxic activity.